Price still harbours hopes of world powerboat crown

Sharjah: Qatar Team's Jay Price will be hoping that Italian Guido Cappellini won't be anywhere around when the 18 drivers take to the waters for the final round of the 2009 UIM F1 World Powerboat Championship in Sharjah on Friday.

Price, who won Thursday's opening race of the Sharjah Grand Prix, is currently placed third overall with 125 points, and only a dismal finish from the Italian will work in favour of the American driver.

Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) presented the trophies to the winners along with Nicolo di San Germano, the F1 promoter.

"I will be pushing hard for an outright win tomorrow," Price said.

"And you never know… anything can happen to Guido [Cappellini]," he added at the post-race press conference.

Overall tally

The results threw the race for the world championships wide open as Cappellini's third place took his overall tally to 141 points, while Abu Dhabi driver Thani Atiq Al Qamzi is in second with 128 points following his fourth place on Thursday.

Price, the defending champion, is also within striking range of a successive world title with 125 points in third. Sami Selio, who finished second behind Price in Thursday's race, is in fourth with 115 points and Swedish driver Jonas Andersson is in fifth overall with 109 points.

The start of the race was deferred for a few minutes after a slight touch-up between boats. But once they got off, it was Price all the way as he kept away Selio and Cappellini with poise and speed. "Things have been going in our favour since the Abu Dhabi race [last weekend]," Price admitted.

"We came here prepared and the boat has responded well. There is still a tough way to go for us," he added.

Standings

2009 F1 drivers points table: 1. Guido Cappellini (141); 2. Thani Al Qamzi (128); 3. Jay Price (125); 4. Sami Selio (115); 5. Jonas Andersson (109); 6. Francesco Cantando (86); 7. Ahmad Al Hameli (84); 8. Philippe Chiappe